John Lynch misses opportunity with anthem protest remarks

Colin Kaepernick won’t be kneeling during the national anthem in 2017 if he’s signed by an NFL team. But the trend has continued as a new season begins.

Seahawks pass rusher Michael Bennett and Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch sat during the anthem in their first preseason games. And more players might do the same after recent racially charged events in Charlottesville, Va., have dominated headlines.

49ers first-year general manager John Lynch was asked about those sideline protests and how he would react if his players took part.

“I always thought that one of the great things about this league was the fact that it’s a great beacon for the rest of culture, in terms of the way it should be,” Lynch said.

“You strive for a common goal and you have unity. And I think this game brings people together. I think, partially, when I see that (protest), that’s divisive.

“I understand guys see things that they’re not happy (with). They have that right. I think we’ll always respect people’s rights. That doesn’t mean I believe that. I believe that this game should be celebrated for what it is. I think a tremendous unifier for our country and for what, the way things should be.”

Lynch, a football lifer, seems to be taking an approach congruent with the rest of the league that seems desperate to dispel these protests. Lynch’s words signal the belief that unifying a team is the most important mandate for any player — and that doing something explosive and controversial like not standing for the national anthem goes against those principles. Playing for the team to win is never about accomplishing individual goals.

His choice of the word “divisive” is already getting a negative reaction. He was trending on Twitter soon after his words made their rounds. And many are going to interpret what he said as being against the protests, which are against very real and very serious systematic problems in this country.

Lynch’s problem is the tunnel vision associated with his words. Yes, he acknowledged players’ rights to express themselves. “They got their reasons, and we’ll always be respectful of those,” he said.

But what Lynch didn’t do, and is getting blowback for, is address the issues the protests are fighting against. He had an opportunity to denounce the rampant social injustices and racial inequality that impacts an underrepresented segment of America’s population.

He had an opportunity to acknowledge the issues at greater length than saying he respects players’ First Amendment rights. As an NFL general manager, his words have the weight to empower those fighting for equality.

Instead, calling protests “divisive” is a way of labeling them unfit for the NFL. It’s an acknowledgment that he feels protests in the name of equality have a negative impact on the football team.

Kaepernick’ protest last season seemed to be more unifying than divisive inside the locker room. He was the winner of the 49ers’ Len Eschmont Award, given to the player who best exhibits inspiring play. The divisiveness of the protest came in the public’s response, not that of Kaepernick’s teammates.

Others will argue Lynch didn’t say anything wrong. He rightfully expressed his opinion and didn’t shy from speaking on the controversial topic.

The idea that the team comes first has long been an admirable notion — just not in this case when the stakes are much higher than winning and losing football games.

The irony in using the word “divisive” lies in the negative, partisan reaction he’s getting, rather than making a better attempt to unify those protesting in the name of equality. Lynch missed an opportunity.

Like this article?

Sign up for the Niners Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning

Success

Thanks for signing up.
You'll be waking up a little more awesome tomorrow.